(Video) 2015 U18 World Championship: Mathew Barzal, Canada

Photo: Seattle Thunderbirds forward and 2015 prospect Mathew Barzal produced 12 goals and 57 points in 44 games in an injury-shortened 2014-15 season (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt)

Team Canada came into the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship looking to improve upon their bronze medal showing at last year’s tournament. They got off on the right foot – offensively, at least – posting an 11-6 win over Latvia on Day 1 of the tournament.

Fourteen players registered points in the game, including forward Mathew Barzal, who picked up three assists on the day. Barzal came into the tournament after strong showings in both the second half of the 2014-15 season as well as in the 2015 WHL playoffs, which helped the Seattle Thunderbirds center gain the attention of NHL scouts after he missed a good portion of the season’s first half. Barzal, a prospect for the 2015 NHL Draft, was ranked 11th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings for this year’s draft.

Hockey’s Future caught up with Barzal following the win over Latvia, a conversation that is captured in this exclusive HF video.